Six Eye Issues and Conditions People Over 50 Should Be Aware of

As you age, you may notice certain changes in your eyes or vision. For example, your eyes may not adjust as well to the dark, which can affect your night vision. You may also notice a slight increase in difficulty reading and focusing on close objects.

Certain vision and eye changes occur as part of normal aging. Additionally, as you age, you may be at an increased risk of certain eye issues and conditions. Below are six conditions that occur more commonly as you age. 
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Eye floaters 

Eye floaters can develop when the gel-like substance in the middle of your eye, called the vitreous humor, separates from the surface of the eye and moves around. Floaters more commonly occur as you get older.

Floaters may look like:

• Diffuse spots
• Threads
• Squiggly lines
• Dark spots

Floaters typically come and go and are generally not a cause for concern. However, if you notice a sudden increase in floaters, it's essential to consult an eye specialist.
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Dry eyes 

Dry eyes may develop when you do not have enough lubrication to keep your eyes comfortable.

This is more common as you get older due to hormonal changes and a decrease in tear production. Dry eyes can also occur as a result of other medical conditions and as a side effect of certain medications.

Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Blurred vision
• Pain
• Light sensitivity 

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Cataracts 

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye that leads to blurry vision. Your risk of cataracts increases as you get older. According to the National Eye Institute, about 50% of adults over the age of 80 will develop cataracts. Symptoms include:

• Cloudy vision
• Problems seeing at night
• Colors look faded
• Seeing a halo around light 

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Age-related macular degeneration 

Age-related macular degeneration occurs when the retina in the eye starts to deteriorate. Specifically, a part of the retina called the macula becomes damaged. Damage to the macula causes a decrease in central vision.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults over the age of 50.

Symptoms of age-related macular degeneration may not occur in the early stages but may later include the following:

• Central vision that becomes blurred
• Problems recognizing faces
• Dark or blank spots in the center vision

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Diabetic retinopathy 

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that can occur as a complication of diabetes. It develops over time due to high blood sugar levels and subsequent damage to the blood vessels in the retina. 

Symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Poor night vision
• Impaired colored vision
• Eye floaters 

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Glaucoma 

Glaucoma is a type of eye disease that causes a gradual loss of vision due to damage to the optic nerve. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, being over the age of 60 increases your risk of glaucoma. In the early stages of glaucoma, symptoms usually do not occur. When symptoms do develop, they may include:

• Loss of peripheral vision
• Eye pain
• Blurred vision 

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What can you do to reduce your risk? 

Remember, although certain eye changes are normal, developing eye diseases is not an inevitable part of the aging process. There are many things you can do to promote healthy eyes as you get older, such as:

• Not smoking
• Getting regular exercise
• Managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure
• Wearing protective eyewear as needed to reduce eye injuries
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, and omega-3 fatty acids
• Wearing sunglasses
• Getting regular eye exams

Being aware of potential eye problems as you age can help you spot problems early. In some cases, early diagnosis can help preserve vision. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.